Kachi closed public hearing and awaits environmental decision

The Kachi lithium project completed the public hearing corresponding to the Environmental Impact Report for its exploitation phase. The activity took place on August 27 in El Peñón, department of Antofagasta de la Sierra, and brought together members of the community.

The event represented the closure of the oral stage of the Citizen Participation process, formally initiated on July 31. The file had been available for digital public consultation since June, before the official opening of this phase.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Mining explained the scope of the participatory procedure, the inspection tasks of the Mining Police, and coordination among agencies involved in environmental evaluation. In turn, company representatives presented technical, environmental and social aspects of Kachi.

The process also included two technical presentations, interinstitutional and community inspection in the project area, and a workshop with residents linked to the Salar de Carachi Pampa. Neighbors and other participants asked questions and raised concerns, in addition to requesting that consultation sessions continue during the following phases of the project.

Formal participation extended until August 31. What remains is to complete the administrative evaluation of the Environmental Impact Report, a necessary step prior to the mining authority's decision on the Environmental Impact Statement.

Lake Resources, linked to the project, had indicated that it expected to have that definition before September 30, 2026. The DIA will establish the environmental resolution and conditions for the eventual development of Kachi.

With information from Panorama Minero.